Lessee opens third site in her home town after £210k refit
Carol Rickman now has three leased pubs in Romsey after she took on the Tavern with business partner, Liz Surplice.
The pub reopened this week under the name Phoenix Bar & Eatery after a facelift that saw an upgrade to the kitchen, a new dining area, function room and barista coffee bar. The courtyard has also been revamped, with astro turf and paving put down to create an al fresco dining area.
Rickman has been a leased pub operator since 2000. The Phoenix will be a contrast to her two other Romsey pubs, The Hunters, a community sports led pub, and the Sun, a New York style bar.
She said: “There was a real gap in the market for a quality contemporary pub in the centre of Romsey. The pub is a fantastic building in the best location in town and I feel very optimistic about its potential. It has been a major project getting the building right.”
Chris Jowsey, trading director for Star Pubs & Bars, said: “We’ve delighted to be investing in the Phoenix’s future with such experienced and knowledgeable operators as Carol and Liz. Adding income streams and delivering the level of quality and comfort that today’s pub goers expect is key to having a thriving pub business and this has been done brilliantly at the Phoenix.”
The Phoneix is the 53rd major refurbishment project Star has carried out since 2014, as part of an £18.5m investment in the estate.
